Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose. It is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures for correcting and reconstructing the form, restoring the functions, and aesthetically enhancing the nose, by resolving nasal trauma (blunt, penetrating, blast), congenital defect, respiratory impediment, and a failed primary rhinoplasty.

In the surgeries - closed rhinoplasty and open rhinoplasty - an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist), a maxillofacial surgeon (jaw, face, and neck specialist), or a plastic surgeon, creates a functional, aesthetic, and facially proportionate nose by separating the nasal skin and the soft tissues from the osseo-cartilaginous nasal framework, correcting them as required for form and function, suturing the incisions, and applying a stent to immobilize the corrected (new) nose to ensure the proper healing of the surgical cuts.

The procedure will require an overnight stay in hospital, although occasionally, where minor corrections to the nose tip alone are required, it may be possible to return home the same day. Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two.

For the first 24 hours after surgery your face will feel puffy and your nose may ache however prescribed pain medication will control this. You will have bruising and swelling around the eyes, which lasts for 2 - 3 weeks.

A little bleeding is common in the early days after surgery and you may be asked not to blow your nose for a week or so to allow the tissues to heal. By the end of one week, all dressings, splints, and stitches should be removed. For 2 -3 weeks you'll be asked to avoid strenuous activity with no contact sport for 6 weeks. You will have frequent follow-up visits in the months after surgery to check on your progress.

What is the recovery time from Rhinoplasty surgery?

Each patient is individual so no definite timescale for recovery can be given. However, most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within a couple of days after surgery, and are able to return to work after just a week. Your surgeon may recommend that you take 10-14 days off from work.